Siege of Savannah
American War of Independence · Savannah, Georgia, United States
Summary
The siege of Savannah is a failure for Franco-American forces attempting to retake the town from the British. Despite a coordinated attack, the assailants are repulsed with heavy losses.
Historical context
After the British capture of Savannah in 1778, France intervenes militarily in the southern United States to support the rebellion. This siege is one of the major attempts to reconquer the southern colonies.
Tactics
The assault of 9 October against Spring Hill redoubt was poorly coordinated: late arrival of columns, trap of the Yamacraw swamp, and British fire decimated attackers despite numerical superiority.
Consequences
The Franco-American failure of 9 October 1779 kept Savannah in British hands; d'Estaing, wounded, had to re-embark his troops from the Antilles amid disease and tensions with American allies.